Salmon Walk, Spring Creek

Hikers enjoy a winter day at Whychus Canyon Preserve. Photo: Jay Mather.
Hikers enjoy a winter day at Whychus Canyon Preserve. Photo: Jay Mather.

Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Megan Hill for a salmon walk along Spring Creek near the Metolius River. This beautiful, privately-owned property includes wetland habitat, quaking aspens, mixed conifer forests, and outstanding habitat for wildlife including kokanee and Chinook salmon. We'll take a walk along Spring Creek and the Metolius River and observe kokanee salmon spawning in their annual rite. Learn about efforts to restore Chinook and sockeye salmon to the Metolius River and its tributaries. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event.

  • Outing Details + Route

    Hike Rating: This is a moderate ~2 mile hike. Portions will be on established trails and through grassy meadows.

    Route: This hike will start at the Camp Sherman store and follow the Metolius River trail. Once on the Spring Creek property, trails are through grassy meadows. Terrain will be uneven at times.

    Elevation gain/loss: There is very little elevation gain/loss on this hike.

  • What to Bring

    Snacks/lunch, water, sturdy hiking shoes. Dress for the weather.

  • About the Property

    Spring Creek is a 25 acre private property near Camp Sherman, Oregon. The Deschutes Land Trust worked with the owners of the property to create a land preservation agreement to conserve the headwaters of Spring Creek and its nearby wetlands. The property is home to a host of wildlife species including: white-headed woodpecker, northern goshawk, olive-sided flycatcher, and the Cascade frog. The Metolius River and tributaries like Spring Creek provide important habitat for bull trout, spring Chinook salmon, redband trout, and kokanee/sockeye salmon.